For those who may want to purchase more fabric for their Afternoon Delight, I have found that a 10" square layer cake works well. The 10" square is large enough for both the background squares and the applique.
You get a nice variety of coordinating darks and lights. I am using the lights for backgrounds and the darks for applique.

I prewash all my fabrics. For these 10" squares, I sorted them by color and soaked a batch of similar colors in hot water with Synthrapol and Color Catchers, rinsed them gently, and then dried them in a hot dryer. They shrunk a little in one direction. They ended up a very good size to use for the blocks in this quilt.

Judy

On the sample quilt, I tried to keep the dogs all going the same way in any given block. But, in reality, it won’t make much difference. Since other stitchers were not concerned about the direction, my dogs go all over, it’s still fine.

Question:

In the kit, some of the backgrounds have dogs. If you cut background squares straight, once the blocks are set on point, the dogs will be sideways. Anyone cutting their squares to alleviate this? Should I even care?

Hi All
I'm Jillian, from Brisbane, Australia.
My approach to fabric selection was to use the Fabric Requirements as a guide and source from my stash and our local quilt shops.
So I've ended up here. (See pic)

Nfiegirl, For the Shoo Fly blocks I am using a common off white fabric for all the blocks. Right now I am think I will go with 4 blocks that have half square triangles that
are in the rust/brown tones and 5 in green tones. Using the opposite color tone as the center block and one rust and one green tone in the little 4 patch.
But I am always open to change. I tend to just play add on to what looks good with what I have so far. Often go off in a different direction. That is why I never
cut everything out in advance. One block at a time for me. Your Kim Diehl will make a wildly beautiful quilt. Be sure to post some pictures as you make them.
I made two samples before deciding which way to go. Then decided on earth tones and gem stones for the color palette. Need to buy more gem stone
colored fabrics as the months proceed. Just bought some earth tones to start with. Also, have lots of scraps to put in the double nine patches. HelenW

Helen...are you going to do the Shoo Fly Block all the same? I'm doing scrappy with Kim Diehl fabric, but unsure what to use in the Shoo Fly block!

Helen I love your fabric selection. I have confronted and sorted my fabric collection and have decided to make my Afternoon Delight scrappy.

Helen, your fabrics will make a stunning quilt!

Helen,
Your fabric choices are wonderful. Your quilt will be beautiful!

Judy

I have agonized over the fabric selection, but finally decided to go with one off white background,
earth tones of browns, rusts and greens. I am currently working on a art quilt with wildlife and nature scenes so
a lot of the fabrics can go for both quilts. Plus, I love wildlife wall hangings so I have bags and bags of scraps that will
coordinate. Can't wait to get going now that I have finally decided. Everyones color palettes have been so great looking
that it made it really hard. HelenW

It's lovely seeing and hearing about everyone's fabrics that they will be using. I'm still undecided between blue and white, red and white or totally scrappy from my stash I'll decide soon.

The Print and Piece Fuse Lite is a helpful product for machine appliqué. I wouldn’t use it for needle turn myself.

I think using it was one option of how to do the applique. If you choose a way to do it without, I dont think you would need it for any of the blocks in the coming months.

Diane in Colorado Springs

Now that I have the instructions for the first month, am I correct that it was not necessary to have purchased the fuse lite for this project if we are needle turning the appliqué? Or is it going to be used later?